JeniM73

Is a glow peel painful? I was considering this while in Mexico for my sleeve, but I don't want to feel overwhelmed with pain from the surgery as well as a peel.

Cute clothes. Going sleeveless and not feeling over dressed during the hot Kansas summers. Time away from work and kids in Tijuana. Flying for the first time in my life. Feeling sexy around my husband. Looking as young as my husband. Walking my dogs without feeling like I need to call my son for a ride back home. Hopefully inspiring my oldest son to take better care of himself. Wearing a swimsuit and going to the pool with my little kids. Not feeling like the "fat mom" in a group.

Great posts. I'm happy that everything has gone so well. Your posts are very informative and have put my mind at ease, at least somewhat. I'm still so nervous but I think its more because I will be without my husband. It was nice of you to check on the other patient traveling alone. I'm scheduled for February 22nd. It can't get here fast enough. Keep posting and I hope you have a quick recovery.

Silent support. That's a good way to refer to it. I don't talk about it much with my husband either. I know he's fine with me having the surgery but he really can't know the excitement/fear/anticipation I've had for so long. I've never even been out of the country much less flown before so this is a HUGE experience for me. Hoping good things for you and your experience as well.

I've got the countdown app too. Every day is a day closer. Completely obsessed!

Ok, so I'm a little irritated with my hubby. Apparently, our insurance changed at his job and he didn't pay attention in the presentation. I'm confused about what our benefits are and even what insurance we have now. The letter says our insurance has changed to GWH Cigna (which is Greater Western Health???) but at the bottom of the letter it says if you have any questions to call Harrington Health, which is who we had and does not cover VSG. I looked the policy up on Cignas website and it states that VSG is a covered benefit. According to the policy, I've met all of the requirements. My BMI is higher than 50 and I've been in a medically supervised WL program since August with hopes that my insurance company would approve surgery. In the end, Harrington Health denied me and I was forced to look elsewhere. Now, I'm scheduled for VSG in TJ on 2/22. So now I've got to call Cigna or Harrington Health? I'm confused as to what insurance we even have at this point. Has anyone ever had an issue like this?

So things recently changed with my husbands insurance at his job and when I reviewed the plans, it said Bariatric surgery was a covered benefit. I was hoping, in a last ditch effort that I could have surgery in the states and not leave home for that long (and save myself some $$$) but when I called my insurance about it, they said it was a mistake in the plan and it was NOT a covered benefit. So Mexico...here I come! I guess on the bright side, I get to keep my new Samantha Brown luggage set!

How long do most people wait before they return to work? I will have a little over a week off and hope that is enough.

So this morning, I've called all over trying to figure out my benefits and covered services. On the Summary of Benefits and Coverage, under my plan option, Bariatric Surgery is listed as a covered service. This morning, I received an email back from the insurance administrator at my husbands job saying that she thinks that is an error. REALLY? Can they just hand out mass documentation descripting what they cover and then say "Ooops, we didn't mean that one"! I also received a call from my insurance asking me to fax the paperwork I have stating that this service is covered. This is the paperwork that THEY provided to my husband at the presentation of benefits. So at this point, I can't get a straight answer from anyone. And I'm a little disturbed that I had to fax my insurance a copy of their own documentation advising what their plans cover! Wow...at this point I'm about to just give up and go to Mexico as first planned.

Yes, we just got the cards in the mail. It says Cigna as well as GWH-Cigna AND Harrington Health. I called the number on the card and it takes me to Harrington Health (which is not open until 8AM on Monday...which feels like forever away). Our premium went up a bit. I really could just hang him up by his toenails for not paying attention to the presentation. He says someone from Cigna spoke, but says everyone was confused and he just stopped paying attention and can't remember what she said. At this point, I don't even know what our insurance company ACTUALLY is.

I have a surgery date of 2/22 in TJ and am totally obsessed with VSG. I think about it before I fall asleep, as soon as I wake up and all day long. My husband can't go with me because of our 4 kids (even though one of my kids is 18, the rest need parental supervision and I would hate to get a call from their school, or worse, and we're out of country!). It's almost bittersweet that my husband can't go. On one hand, we've never been that far from each other and I will miss him so much. I'm anxious about having surgery and managing travel alone. I've never been on a plane before and worry about managing things, especially after surgery. But on the other hand, I need time out from home and feel like surgery will be a way to rejuvenate myself....physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. But because he's not going, my husband seems irritated when I talk about surgery and everything that comes with it. He doesn't have a weight issue and can't really relate to this obsession I have. I haven't told anybody else about my decision. I had mentioned to my mom that I was considering WLS, but she was not supportive (never really is about many things I do) and told me I can do loose the weight without surgery. I haven't told anybody except my husband because I'm nearly 40 years old and think I can make decisions when it comes to my life without the input of others....well, mostly I don't want to hear their opinion on the matter. Even if I lost all of my weight tomorrow, I would still want VSG because I have never really had longer term success. I mean, I'm leaving the majority of my stomach in Mexico, so I'm thinking it might be hard for it to ever find me again. I've become obsessed with VST because I feel like this is the only place I can find the support I need. But I just want my surgery date to hurry up and get here. VSG seems to consume my every waking thought!

Wow! Around the corner. Good luck to you as well!

Thanx for the response. My husband is very supportive, but I think he's just irritated by the fact that even though we have an adult son who, if he was more responsible, could watch his brother and 2 sisters while we're gone. When we met, I was in pretty good shape, working out quite a bit, etc. So I don't think he's insecure about anything. I even have the VST app on my phone and check things in the middle of the night. Nuts. I really want to learn as much as I can before surgery, but its getting a little overwhelming. Are you having surgery here in the states or are you making a run for the border too?

That's a good thought. I might do that. But I just know I will be homesick and miss my husband (not so sure about the kids...hahaha!).

That makes me feel better about things. Did you have someone with you or did you go alone? I'm going alone and am a little worried about how much pain I'll have and being able to manage busy airports alone. Can you rate your pain? I've had two c-sections and hope the pain level is nowhere near that.

I'm in the same boat. I've got a BMI over 50 as well and would like to save that extra grand for possibly some new clothes after my surgery. I've been drinking Atkins shakes and lean meat, veggies. I snack on carrots and apples if I get hungry. Wow! That sounds like a horse right there!. HAHAHA. It hasn't been so bad with the holidays being over. Thank goodness! But I do have quite the headache today from a lack of my daily lattes!

Blondie, your scheduled for 2/21 in TJ? I'll be coming in on that date with a scheduled date of 2/22 for surgery.

I've started using MFP...actually had an acct since foreverrrrr ago, but now trying to keep track of cals on a lcd for my sleeve surgery in Tijuana on 2/22. Would love to support (and get support) from fellow sleevers. Add me...jenim73

I can't believe I'm having surgery next month. I'm still nervous about traveling alone and know that I will miss my husband so much. I wish he could go with me. It seems that everyone who has a surgery date near mine (2/22...arriving 2/21) will be leaving when I get there or just coming in as I'm heading out. I hope to find a buddy soon. I've been out of control eating during the holidays. Glad they're over! Now I just need to focus and get healthy. The big 4-0 is right around the corner and I have a slam'n dress I bought that I want to fit into and look smok'n in. I just purchased a new carry-on and tote bag for my trip to MX. I can't wait to start packing it! I guess it's the little things in life, huh?

Peppy234...let us know EVERYTHING! I'm excited for you!

I thought about taking my adult son (18 year old) with me but he's still in HS and I don't want him to miss. Plus, I guess if I want anyone to go with me it'd be my husband. But I do worry about something happening as well. I mean, it is surgery. But like you, I'm just trying to keep positive about things...and wishing my surgery date would hurry up!

Ha that's funny! I don't talk about it much even with my husband. If he was able to go with me I think he'd be more interested in the topic, but for now, he seems a bit irritated about having to stay home with our 4 kids while I'm on "vacation". Don't know how much of a vacation it will be!

Hi everyone! I'm scheduled to be sleeved on February 22nd by Dr. Cabrera Garcia in Tijuana. I'm nervous because I'll be making this trip alone. I've got 4 kids and don't trust them to be home alone while out of the country, so my husband will have to stay home with them. They're not babies, just worried too much could happen with no parental supervision. Anyway, I haven't told anybody about my decision, except my husband. I don't want to hear the negativity about the procedure or going across the border. I've been making myself crazy with VSG research since August when I started a medically supervised WL program, but became very depressed when my insurance denied any surgeries. I scheduled my February surgery date in November and it can't get here fast enough! Like so many of you, it seems I can't fall asleep at night from just thinking about everything. Glad I'm not crazy...sounds like I'm as normal as the rest of you! Glad to meet all of you and hope to hear of someone who will be in Tijuana around the same time as myself!